Air pocket
Air pocket, strong updraft, downdraft, or sudden fall in headwind or tailwind encountered by an aircraft in flight. See updraft and downdraft.
This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Air pocket
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
10 November 2026
Access Date:
November 14, 2026